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Donal Lenihan

Leinster Rugby v Stade Rochelais: Heineken Champions Cup Final

S Donal Lenihan: One Champions Cup constant: The importance of being at home for the knockouts

In its latest guise, with four of the six teams emerging from pools and advancing to the Round of 16, it’s harder not to make the knockout phase than to exit the tournament

Wed, 06 Dec, 2023

Munster v South Africa Select XV

S Donal Lenihan: It beggars belief Munster aren't bringing Leinster to Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Best estimate suggest that, even with Cork GAA receiving a decent rent for the stadium, Munster could pocket an additional €350,000 by staging their St Stephen's Day game against Leinster in Cork.

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

RUGBYU-WC-2023-MATCH48-NZL-RSA-FINAL

S Donal Lenihan: Time for rugby to undergo a radical overhaul

An inevitable side effect of the increase in player size when the professional game was finding its feet from 2000 onwards was the rising incidence of concussions.

Wed, 22 Nov, 2023

Donal Lenihan: South Africa's magnificent feat can't halt our World Cup dream

S Donal Lenihan: South Africa's magnificent feat can't halt our World Cup dream

What South Africa have reminded everyone over the course of the last two months is that it requires a super human effort, coupled with a bit of good fortune, to win a World Cup. That doesn’t mean we should stop dreaming.

Wed, 01 Nov, 2023

England v South Africa - Rugby World Cup 2019 Final

S Donal Lenihan: Superior attack but All Blacks front five must weather double onslaught

The Irish Examiner columnist gives his thoughts on where he thinks the Rugby World Cup final will be won and lost.

Sat, 28 Oct, 2023

New Zealand v South Africa - 2023 Summer International

S Donal Lenihan: The two best teams are contesting World Cup showpiece

By defeating Ireland and France in two of the greatest games ever seen at a World Cup, and despite both being turned over at the pool stage, New Zealand and South Africa are fully deserving of the right to contest Saturday night’s final.

Wed, 25 Oct, 2023

Ireland v New Zealand - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Quarter Final - Stade de France

S Donal Lenihan: The cruellest irony — how Ireland contributed to their regrettable downfall

The feeling of emptiness after Ireland’s head-wrecking defeat to New Zealand on Saturday night went far deeper than just losing a quarter-final.

Tue, 17 Oct, 2023

Ireland v New Zealand: Quarter Final - Rugby World Cup France 2023

S Donal Lenihan: It wasn’t meant to end like this, but Ireland's fall was no quarter-final choke

The only thing that denied Ireland’s place in the last four was the flawed structure of the tournament which has resulted in two of the best four teams heading home in advance of the semi-finals.

Sun, 15 Oct, 2023

Jonathan Sexton 13/10/2023

S Donal Lenihan: After years of pain and anguish at this stage of a World Cup, Ireland’s time has come

Our rugby analyst on the three big factors heading into Saturday's mouth-watering Ireland v New Zealand World Cup quarter-final.

Sat, 14 Oct, 2023

Ireland Rugby Squad Training

S Donal Lenihan: Any tickets? You're asking the wrong man...

Irish fans will again fill the Stade de France on Saturday night for the mouth-watering meeting with the All Blacks.

Wed, 11 Oct, 2023